Switch



Jan; 20, 1931. G. F. EGAN 1,789,865

SWITCH Filed Dec.l8, 1925 gnveutor fil George I. Egan,

@ii'ornefy.

Patented Jan. 20, 1931 UNITED STATES GEORGE E. EGAN, OF JERSEY CITY, JERSEY SWITCH Application filed December 18, 1925. Serial No. 76,240.

The present invention relates to improvements in signalling devices, and has for an object the provision of improved means for giving a visible or audible signal, or both,

when, for instance, a vehicle buffer strikes an object. The invention has for a further-object to give a signal when the bufier is collapsed incident to the striking of an object, whereby drivers of other vehicles may be ap- 1 prised of the accident and given opportunity to bring vehicles operated by them to a stop or direct them out of the way of. the stalled vehicle. 1 i

Further objects of the invention are to make certain improvements in the buffer, whereby a circuit closer may be actuated, and in so constructing the circuit closer as to'cooperate with the deformable buffer. The invention may be installed in connection with a signal lamp or an'nunciator, or both, and with the usual battery of an automobile. I

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and more particularly pointed out in theclaims ap ended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein li e symbols refer to like or' corresponding parts throughout the several views:

- Figure 1 is a to plan view of a vehicle equipped with a bu er and signal device embodying my improvements; j Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2'2 in Flgure 1; and g Figure 3' is anenlarged fragmentary perspective view of a circuit closer in closed position. Y

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 4'designates generallythe chassis of a vehicle shown as mounted upon rear wheels 5 and front wheels 6. At 7 is indicated an engine in dotted lines, and yat-8 a radiator. A storage battery is represented at 9. A signal lamp 10 is shown as mounted at therear of the vehicle and such lamp will preferably have a red lens with the word .Stop in transparent letters. The lamp 10 may be illuminated when the buffer 11 in the front of the vehicle strikes a person or 0b ject with such force as to be deflected backwardly, for instance to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1. I

The buffer is shown as of a bowed or curved construction transversely of the vehicle with the convex side of the buffer presented outwardly whereby a deflection may take place toward the vehicle in an effort to straighten the curved buffer when the buffer encounters an object. The ends 12 and 13 of the butter are shown as returned inwardly upon the bowed portion and as spaced from the bowed portion substantially parallel therewith. Connecting portions 14 and-15 permit the buffer to flex not only as to the bowed main portion 11, butalso as to the ends 12 and 13. The buffer will preferably be of some flexible material, as a tempered steel. The ends 12 and 13 are shown as brought inwardly and turned rearwardly, the rearward extremities 16 and 17 being shown as fitted against extension frames 18 and 19 and bolted or otherwise secured thereto.

Abutments 20 and 21, preferably rounded, are shown as made between the ends or arms 12 and 13 and the extremities 16 and 17. These abutments do not move appreciably on account of the fixed position of the extremities, 16 and 17 and consequently they form stops against which the outer bowed main portion of thebuifer 11 may strike when deflected or deformed. The greater the deflection the more will the buffer part 11 spread out against greater areas of the arms 12 and 13 and the shock will thus be reduced and compensated. The central portion of thebufler 11 is shown as provided with a lug 22 adapted to receive the outer end of a'rod 23, shown as slidably mounted 26 and affixed thereto by appropriatefasten-v ings. In the upper closed portion of the guide 25 a fiat sprin 27 is shown, the intermediate portion of w ch is afiixed as by fastenings28 to the guide. 25. The free endsof the spring 27m shown-as projecting to both sides of the guide and as bent downwardly and upwardly. These free ends play upon the upper surface of the contact member 24 and urge this contact member downwardly. The rear end of the contact member 24 is shown as provided with a downwardly and forwardly projected hook 29, the lower edge of which is shown as of small area. The hook 29 normally rests upon the upper surface of a block of insulating material 30 shown as carried upon the companion contact member 31. Both contact members may be in the nature of flat metallic strips of appropriate length and width.

The contact member 24 is shown as disposed at an elevation above the contact member 31, and the contact may be made by the lower edge of the hook 29 when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 3. The rear end of the insulating block 30 is shown as beveled downwardly and inwardly to accord with the formation given the hook 29 in order that the hook may catch behind the block when the contact member 24 is moved rearwardly to a sufficient extent to permit the hook to move off the block. The spring 27=will force the contact member and hook downwardly. The lower contact member 31 is shown as fixed, as by the fastenings 32, to

a cross beam 33. Another cross member 34 the lower contact member 31 by a lead or conductor 36. The other terminal of the battery 9 may be grounded on the buffer frame by a lead 37, which thereby establishes a closed circuit when the contact members 24 and 31 are brought together. In the operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the parts are in the position indicated in Figures 1 and 2 withthe hook 29 of the movable contact member 24 riding upon the upper surface of the insulating block 30. The buffer 11 assumes the normal full line position, and the circuit is open in the normal condition of the parts. V

Should a person or object be struck by the buffer 11 the reaction will cause the bowed front portion of thebuifer to deflect rearcontact with the companion contact member 31, thus establishing a closed circuit including the battery 9 and the lamp 10. The lamp will thereupon be illuminated and calltheattention of those within View of the lamp to the fact of an accident. The parts will remain in the interlocked condition shown in Figure 3, until the movable contact member 24 is manually raised. This may be accomplished by grasping a button or handle 38 shown as pro vided on the contact for this purpose. The inherent resiliency of the buffer 11 will restore .the buffer, the rod 23 and the movable contact member 24 to normal position, but the lamp will remain lighted until this manual lifting of the movable contact is performed.

Of course a horn, hell or other audible or visual signal might be substituted for, or used in addition to, the lamp 10 and any source of current might be provided other than a storage battery. The buffer is shown as connected to extension frames 18 and 19 carried upon the front end of the chassis but it is apparent that the buffer might, if desired, be aflixed directly to the front ends of the channel beams or otherparts of a chassis. I 7

The contact piece 31 will preferably be of a length equal to the space between the radiator and the buffer. in normal position.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

TVhat is claimed is 1. A fender circuit closing mechanism comprising a fixed contact, a' block of insulating material on said fixed contact having abeveled face, a movable contact cooperating with said fixed contact and having a hook normally resting on said block and inclined to lock with said beveled face, a guide for the movable contact, and yieldablemeans acting against the guide and movable contact to urge the hook toward the fixed contact.

-2. A signal circuit closingv mechanism comprising a fixed contact plate, a block of insulating material secured upon the end portion of said fixed contact plate and having its inner edge beveled from the plate downwardly and outwardly, a movable contact plate cooperating with said fixed contact plate and having a hook on theend portion thereof disposed at substantially anv acute angle to the plate and adapted to ride over the insulating block and to snap behind the block and make contact with the fixed contact plate and be locked behind said beveled face of the insulating block, a guide for said movable contact plate, and a bow spring between said guide and movable contact plate for urging the contact plates together.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE E. EGAN. 

